Final answer:
The respiratory system exchanges gases with the outside air, while the circulatory system transports these gases to and from body cells. Oxygen enters the bloodstream in the lungs and is delivered to cells for energy production, whereas carbon dioxide is expelled as a waste product.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interaction between the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
The circulatory system and the respiratory system interact closely to ensure that oxygen is delivered to the cells of the body and carbon dioxide is removed. The respiratory system, including the lungs, facilitates the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide. During this gas exchange process in the lungs, oxygen enters the bloodstream via the alveoli and is then transported by red blood cells to body tissues. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product from the oxidative stages of cellular respiration, is collected from the cells and carried back to the lungs to be expelled from the body. The circulatory system, with the heart as its pump, moves these gases efficiently through a network of blood vessels. This delivery and removal of gases is critical for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell, which is generated through aerobic respiration, a process requiring oxygen.